Policy Articles

USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Bill Northey confirms with the Red River Farm Network the way the new Market Facilitation Program is structured requires a planting of acres to participate. Northey acknowledges other support available for farmers…

South Dakota Representative Dusty Johnson tells the Red River Farm Network the disaster bill will be held up until lawmakers get back into Washington D.C. "This is not the way we should be doing business," says Johnson. "We do need…

Texas Representative Chip Roy blocked the disaster relief bill in the House on Friday. He objected to a unanimous consent vote. The disaster aid package passed in the Senate with an 85-8 vote on Thursday. The total cost for the…

Agriculture is on its sixth year of lower net farm income, due to a combination of many factors. American Farm Bureau Federation Executive Vice President Dale Moore says add in Mother Nature and the recent trade negotiations and he can't…

Kulm, North Dakota farmer Josh Gackle was at the White House for President Trump’s Market Facilitation Program announcement Thursday. He is grateful for the help from the administration, but like many farmers, would prefer trade to aid. Gackle participated in…

The National Association of Wheat Growers joined President Trump at the White House for the new trade mitigation package announcement. CEO Chandler Goule says he is glad the administration has potentially offered better payments in the new Market Facilitation Program.…

In addition to the announcement on trade assistance, President Donald Trump addressed a variety of other issues in the White House briefing. That includes the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. "We're fixing broken trade deals to open markets for American exports including the…

The prevented plant decision may be influenced by the new trade mitigation plan. USDA Chief Economist Rob Johansson emphasized farmers will need to plant a crop this spring to be eligible for payments. "You will not receive a payment if…

Minnesota Congressman Collin Peterson and South Dakota Congressman Dusty Johnson have introduced legislation that sets up a June 1 deadline for refineries to submit small refinery exemption requests from the Renewable Fuel Standard obligations. The bill also calls for increased…

Hog and dairy farmers will receive support through the Market Facilitation Program. Pork producers will receive a payment based on their inventory within a certain timeframe. For dairy farmers, the payment will be based on production history. National Milk Producers…